* Describe your first student teaching context (school setting). What school are you at, what are some of its characteristics, and what classes are you teaching, and how are classes scheduled at your school?
My first, and only, student teaching context is North Kingstown High School, which is about a 20 minute drive from URI. NKHS is a relatively new school, reopened in 2001, it has three floors, serves about 1,6000 students from both NK and Jamestown, and each classroom is equipped with computers and TV monitors. The national anthem, the pledge of allegiance, and morning announcements are given over the TV monitors every morning, with students sharing the news like reporters behind a desk. Focused even more on technology, classroom attendance is submitted online at the start of each class, grades are all entered electronically, and parents can login to iParent to see how their students are doing. Student are also all required to keep an online portfolio, submitting an anchor assignment each semester, including a reflection on the assignment. Each core class requires students to do an anchor assignment, and the assignments for each core course is constant for the different classes. The mascot for NK is the Skipper and their school colors are black and gold. NK is on a two day schedule, with periods one, three, and four being 90 minute blocks that meet every other day, period two is a 20 minute advisory that meets every day, and period five is a 50 minute period that meets at the end of every day. I am teaching fourth period 10th grade Biology and fifth period 9th grade Earth Science. So overall, I have two preps, one for Biology and one for Earth Science, but I teach the Bio prep for two days to two different classes, and I have a new prep for Earth Science every day. I hope that doesn't sound too confusing! I have been having a great time at NK, both of my CTs are wonderful and my classes have been interactive and attentive...so far!
* Explain one of your "stealth" objectives that you want to accomplish with your students and why.
One of my stealth objectives for my students is for them to make personal connections to the material and see the purpose in learning certain material. I think it is important for my students to understand why they are learning something, and not "just because" or "it's on the test." Once my students are able to make personal connections to the material they will enjoy learning more and have an interest in the material. I have already started working on this with them in my first few lessons. I ask them questions like "Why should we learn about this?" or "Who can tell my why/how this affects us?" In my Bio class yesterday, I had one girl tell me that she felt like she actually learned something in class and that she was happy I was there. Having my students respond to me like this early on is definitely a good sign. If I can get them interested in the material and seeing why it is important, they will soon want to be learning more and asking more questions to make it more meaningful for them.
* Describe your first student teaching context (school setting). What school are you at, what are some of its characteristics, and what classes are you teaching, and how are classes scheduled at your school?
My first, and only, student teaching context is North Kingstown High School, which is about a 20 minute drive from URI. NKHS is a relatively new school, reopened in 2001, it has three floors, serves about 1,6000 students from both NK and Jamestown, and each classroom is equipped with computers and TV monitors. The national anthem, the pledge of allegiance, and morning announcements are given over the TV monitors every morning, with students sharing the news like reporters behind a desk. Focused even more on technology, classroom attendance is submitted online at the start of each class, grades are all entered electronically, and parents can login to iParent to see how their students are doing. Student are also all required to keep an online portfolio, submitting an anchor assignment each semester, including a reflection on the assignment. Each core class requires students to do an anchor assignment, and the assignments for each core course is constant for the different classes. The mascot for NK is the Skipper and their school colors are black and gold. NK is on a two day schedule, with periods one, three, and four being 90 minute blocks that meet every other day, period two is a 20 minute advisory that meets every day, and period five is a 50 minute period that meets at the end of every day. I am teaching fourth period 10th grade Biology and fifth period 9th grade Earth Science. So overall, I have two preps, one for Biology and one for Earth Science, but I teach the Bio prep for two days to two different classes, and I have a new prep for Earth Science every day. I hope that doesn't sound too confusing! I have been having a great time at NK, both of my CTs are wonderful and my classes have been interactive and attentive...so far!* Explain one of your "stealth" objectives that you want to accomplish with your students and why.
One of my stealth objectives for my students is for them to make personal connections to the material and see the purpose in learning certain material. I think it is important for my students to understand why they are learning something, and not "just because" or "it's on the test." Once my students are able to make personal connections to the material they will enjoy learning more and have an interest in the material. I have already started working on this with them in my first few lessons. I ask them questions like "Why should we learn about this?" or "Who can tell my why/how this affects us?" In my Bio class yesterday, I had one girl tell me that she felt like she actually learned something in class and that she was happy I was there. Having my students respond to me like this early on is definitely a good sign. If I can get them interested in the material and seeing why it is important, they will soon want to be learning more and asking more questions to make it more meaningful for them.